The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-27
MRS. MARY A. LIVERMORE.
Her Reasons for Abandoning the Repub-
lican Party.


ncan Party.
Springfield Republican.
'kcounseled with no one, not even with my
husband. No one knew / was to take the step
did until made the speech in the convention
For two nights prior to the convention did not
sleep. My husband inquired the cause of my
restlessness and friends noticed a change in nv
appearance. and made anxious inquiry. TO all
was silent as to my purpose. A terrible strug-
gle was going within me. l was having
terrible debate with myself. Shall do i'll
asked myself again and again. finally decided
what my duty was and performed it."
What were the main reasons that led You to
+ take this stepa"
"The Republican party of Massachusetts is
wholly to blame because of its attitude and acts
on the great questions of prohibition and woman
suffrage ! found that in spite of the profess
sions of the Republican party of friendliness to
the temperance cause, the cause did not seem to
advance at all. found that the woman suffrage
movement advocated as it is by some OF the best
women in the land, was treated with scorn and
contempt. When we asked favors of the party
could get satisfaction. I finally made up
my mind that we could no longer depend on the
Republican party to advance either OF these
movements. The thing, however. that made as
deep an impression on my mind as anything else
this: have recently been out West, aud
have talked with leading Republicans out there
and in this State and found that their prime
object is to restore the Republicans to power, and
they admit that, to do this. they cannot cater too
strongly to the anti liquor and woman suffrage
elements. But they say, when we are
again in power, we will be all right and tend to
these things I know how illogical they
however. They have given as promise after
promise on the question Of prohibition, and we
would like to depend on them, but we can't
They make US promises as regards biennial cleo
tons. prohibition and woman suffrage, and then
go back on them. In Iowa and Kansas, the Re-
publican party is the party Of prohibition and
woman suffrage; in Wisconsin the situation is
exactly opposite. In Massachusetts how ia itl
Not a word in the party platform svmpathiZing
with woman suffrage. / have as much contempt
for the Republican party of Massachusetts for
it's attitude toward woman suffrage as from any
other cause"
How do you view the constitutional amend
ment plank of the Republican party of last year,
and the subsequent actions OF the Legislature
A look of supreme disgust spread over Mrs.
Lvermore's face she replied THAT
very discouraeine. There Is another instance
of promise unfulflled. The Republican party
adopted a resolution favorng the submission of
a constitutional amendments to the people. A
Republican Legislature not only refuses TODD SO,
but Governor Ames goes before it and advocates
high license. 1t is discouragng when parties
and men act this way. The indications are
that the liquor dealers will attempt to secure
power enough in the State Senate to Offset the
temperance legislation of the House of Repre-
sentatives the same as last year, and the Re-
publicans appear to make no effort to stop
them"
what will be the effect, in your opinion. of
the third-party agitation, on the Republican
party?
81 still believe that the Republican party will
be forced to take higher and better position
toward prohibition and woman suffrage. It is
the policy Of the party now to make promises
over and over again and never fulfill them to
re-elect men to Office az q reward for party work.
regardless of their position toward prohibition
and woman suffrage. The time will come. how
ever, before enlightened public conscience,
that the party will either have to throw off it's
hypocrisy and become the party of prohibition
and woman suffrage IL will die. l have no
angry words for tho old party. There seems to
be a moral blindness among its leaders. 1t is
with sorrow that part from it and them, but
am satisfied that their professions of sympathy
for prohibition and woman suffrage are mean
ingless, and there is but one course for me to
pursue. and that is to give my influence. and
labor, and sympathy to the Prohibition party. L
do not like some of the methods employed By
that party but it is the party of principle, and
as such it deserves and receives my support"